| The Excalibur Touch Chess - Review by John LeVasseur
Things get smaller! This is a fact of the electronics world. Does that mean they also get better? Not always. It depends on whether smaller actually is better. In terms of chess computers,  smaller often means less powerful but more convienient. That was until the advent of application specific designs. Some engineer, (I think it was at Apple) said, "Why not make a computer that makes sense for someone on the go? They don't need a powerful, fast computer with intense graphics or even a keyboard. Just some-"thing" that provides a portal to pertinent timely information, yet can fit in their pocket". Enter the PDA (Personal Data Assistant). Apple Computer developed the Newton PDA, the first of its kind for the consumer. A small, palm sized computer device that had a touch sensitive screen and a stylus for writing and accessing features directly. The Newton no longer exists, but the concept continues in products like the PalmPilot™, the device with which most of us are familiar.
One of the few computing products out there that has not kept pace with this trend in smaller and portable computing was chess computers. Have you ever tried to play one of the "portable" chess computers, with the peg pieces, in a subway or train, car or plane. And have you ever lost a chess piece? ... hmm ... game over!
Well, now the revolution has finally arrived. Excalibur Electronics, the Florida based electronic game manufacturer,  has created the Touch Chess- The first PDA type dedicated chess computer. Excalibur was kind enough to provide us with a prototype for evaluation, and we are very impressed. It is small! Measuring a mere 4 3/8" tall, 3 1/8" wide, and only 1/2" thick. This thing actually does fit in a shirt pocket. And weighing in at a miniscule 3.8 ouces, including the vinyl pouch and stylus pen, you would barely notice it is there. OK ... it is small, but is it powerful?
Features
First, let's look at some of the features as outlined by Excalibur:
- Tournament Strength
- Help Mode shows all legal moves for beginners
- Threat warning indicator
- Hint key for coaching
- Take back function
- Selectable opening lines for play and learning
- Teach mode for beginners
- Mate trainer for advanced players
- InfoMode to "peek" in the computers brain
- Auto play, to watch computer play both sides
- 32 mate problems for you to solve
- Skill rating feature
- Announce mate in three moves
- Built-in chess clock
- Move Counter or Position Score display at all times
- Set-up and solve chess problems
- Large touch screen for fast move entry
- Off key saves game in memory
- Ajustable-time automatic shutoff
- Uses three AG13/LR44 button cell batteries (included)
- Designed and programmed in the USA
Estimated Rating: 1400-1500 at 40 moves in 2 hours
Now some of these features are fairly standard fare for chess computers, but because of the use of a PDA touch screen,  some are unique to this unit. For instance, the clock and move count display runs continuously without being interrupted with chess notation information. Very cool! Touch screen technology also means no pieces to fall or lose while playing. To move a piece, simply touch it and then the square where you want it to go (shown in the image to the left).
As you can see, the display is large and sharp. Also note at the top of the display, the menu bar that allows direct access to the unit's features. Only slight, but firm, pressure of the stylus is needed when using the touch screen. The Touch Chess has no mechanical switches or buttons to break! This feature alone makes it likely the Touch Chess will prove to be a very reliable unit. The rounded ergonomics in the case  design allows it to fit comfortably in your hand. This is one feature I can really appreciate, since as you can see in the images, I have some very fat, stubby little fingers. It sits in my little palm quite comfortably. In addition to being the first PDA style chess computer it is most likely the smallest chess computer on the market.
Just like a PDA, all access to the functions of Touch Chess  is accomplished by touching a stylus directly to the touch screen. The pen is stored in a handy little slot that has its opening in the upper right hand corner of the unit. It locks securely in place when pressed down all the way. It is made from a hard, break resistant plastic and has a rounded tip designed to be used directly on the touch screen without causing any harm to the screen.
The Touch Chess also  comes with a soft vinyl carrying pouch, to keep the Touch Chess computer clean and safe from harm. It completely covers the Touch Chess and has a convienient closure flap on top. This flap is held closed by a Velcro fastener. It is made from a very soft-to-the-touch vinyl material and is colored black.
Performance
Now the question you serious chess computer fans want to know, I'm sure. Just how strong is this wonder of modern engineering? Well, it whooped my fanny at level 10, but really that's not saying much. Everyone assumes because I have a gig here at Your Move, then I must be a tournament rated chess player with a high rating. Well ... no! But I am a good representation of the majority of intermediate level players. This is the group this unit was designed for. I handed the Touch Chess it to our resident Master rated player, and he was not overly challenged. But he did enjoy playing it. He stated that it did make some odd moves. Sacrificing material for no apparent gain was one point of contention. But overall, and especially for the average chess player, the play is challenging and fun. So maybe it will not challenge the top 2 percentile of players in the world. For the rest of us, Touch Chess is a competant and challenging player!
Conclusions
Its small size and respectable playing strength makes the Touch Chess a chess set that is going to be in high demand over its lifetime. Add the fact that this will be the first of what is going to be a plethora of PDA style dedicated  chess computers from this point on, and the Touch Chess becomes an instant classic. This ground breaking concept will literally put chess in the hands of millions of players, no matter what their lifestyle may be. Playing chess on a train , plane or automobile will no longer be problematic. Students and businessmen alike can whip out the Touch Chess and start or finish a game quickly. And when they are finished, they can slip this small, compact and lightweight chess computer right into their shirt pocket! A club player can quickly setup and analyze a position (hopefully, not in the bathroom stall during a relief break at a tournament). Anybody will be able to use and enjoy chess anywhere, thanks to the revolution in PDA technology and Excaliburs groundbreaking use of it in the Touch Chess. I just hope people will not use it while driving, we have enough problems with cell phones!
Rating: A-
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